From What I Recall

About 15 years ago at a Smalls Jazz club late night session, two musicians met up and found they were kindred spirits: Italian pianist Simona Premazzi and Boston saxophonist Kyle Nasser (whose reflective 2015 debut Restive Soul is worth seeking out). after playing together and gigging over the years, the pair formed a quartet in 2021 with Noah Garabedian (bass) and Jay Sawyer (drums). along with touring internationally, they co-produced this promising 11-song debut album From What I Recall.

Premazzi describes their writing as "contrapuntally and embracing the concept of contrast and tension/release" and indeed, it comes through in the quiet intensity of this record, with an interesting contrast between the two composers. Nasser leads with his 12-tone "Iacchus" album opener, featuring a quizzical piano/saxophone theme before the ensemble eventually trails off in different directions. Premazzi's "Back Seat" imitates a muffled conversation, starting with a staccato saxophone theme that tumbles through variations of itself, later mimicked on piano, plus a lovely, moody bass solo and a funky piano/drums exchange. her "Persistence of change" offers a splashy duet with Garabedian and casual duo with Nasser, which leads to an ascending, pounding piano climax. Premazzi's "raoul Blues" (a tribute to the late "gonzo" journalist hunter S. Thompson) begins with boogie-woogie piano runs, followed by Nasser's relaxed saxophone performance, which gets punctuated by a series of Sawyer's drumming spotlights. after a Nasser/Sawyer improvisation, the saxophonist's "Stalking" alternates between fluttering piano and a speedy theme. his "requiem for K.O." and "Knock Out" present variations on the same theme, starting with a grief-stricken mood and Bach-inspired melody, then soaring into a flighty horn motif. "Rocks That aren't So Smooth" (Nasser) sports a cool, bop feel, leading to a jolting, start-and-stop jam session. Premazzi's title track further revs up the proceedings with a high-speed piano and saxophone chase, before settling into a slower-tempo groove and a calm piano meditation. Nasser ends the album on "Scamander" (the mythological Greek river god) with a calm, controlled air, followed by a twisting melody with the pianist, which then breaks off into Premazzi's lyrical playing while the saxophonist performs an extended modal run that slowly builds and recedes in intensity.

From What I Recall is an impressive, collaborative debut, calling for a follow-up that will reveal where the duo will go next.